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MLB's 1st female ump, Jen Pawol, works spring training but doesn't get a permanent staff opening

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MLB's 1st female ump, Jen Pawol, works spring training but doesn't get a permanent staff opening
Sport

Sport

MLB's 1st female ump, Jen Pawol, works spring training but doesn't get a permanent staff opening

2026-02-21 04:00 Last Updated At:04:21

NEW YORK (AP) — Jen Pawol will umpire during spring training for the third straight year but the major leagues' first female umpire did not get one of the permanent staff openings.

Tom Hanahan and Brian Walsh were promoted Friday to replace Mark Carlson and Phil Cuzzi, who are retiring. Carlson will become an umpire supervisor.

Jordan Baker, who worked the plate in Game 7 of last year's World Series, will replace Carlson as a crew chief.

Pawol, 49, became the first female major league umpire Aug. 9 and worked a total of five big league games last year. In 2024, she became the first woman to umpire big league spring training games since Ria Cortesio in 2007. Pawol has been a minor league ump since 2016 and has worked at Triple-A since 2023.

Walsh, 41, has worked 339 major league games as a call-up umpire and Hanahan, who is 35, has worked 329. Both made their major league debuts in 2023.

The 56-year-old Carlson made his major league debut in 1999 and has been a crew chief since 2021. He worked the World Series in 2015, 2020 and 2024, and he was behind the plate for a no-hitter by the Los Angeles Angels' Jered Weaver on May 2, 2012.

Cuzzi, 70, worked his first major league game in 1991 and worked the World Series in 2017. He was the plate umpire for no-hitters by St. Louis' Bud Smith on Sept. 3, 2001, and by Philadelphia's Cole Hamels on July 25, 2015.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

FILE - Toronto Blue Jays' Ernie Clement, bottom, reacts after being called out by third base umpire Tom Hanahan, top left, after being tagged out by New York Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon (19) while trying to stretch a run-scoring double into a triple during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

FILE - Toronto Blue Jays' Ernie Clement, bottom, reacts after being called out by third base umpire Tom Hanahan, top left, after being tagged out by New York Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon (19) while trying to stretch a run-scoring double into a triple during the eighth inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)

FILE - Umpire Brian Walsh (60) works in the first inning during a baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Houston Astros, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

FILE - Umpire Brian Walsh (60) works in the first inning during a baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Houston Astros, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

FILE - Home plate umpire Jen Pawol looks on before a baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago White Sox, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

FILE - Home plate umpire Jen Pawol looks on before a baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Chicago White Sox, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass, File)

This gallery showcases top photos from Day 14 of the Milan Cortina Olympics taken by Associated Press photographers.

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Kamila Sellier of Poland falls during the women's 1,500 meters short track speedskating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Kamila Sellier of Poland falls during the women's 1,500 meters short track speedskating quarterfinal at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Sixth placed Miho Takagi of Japan cries after the women's 1500 meters speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Sixth placed Miho Takagi of Japan cries after the women's 1500 meters speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong of the Netherlands celebrates winning the gold medal with her coach Gerard van Velde, right, after the women's 1500 meters speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong of the Netherlands celebrates winning the gold medal with her coach Gerard van Velde, right, after the women's 1500 meters speedskating race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis)

Canada's Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's third goal during a men's ice hockey semifinal game between Canada and Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Canada's Nathan MacKinnon (29) celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's third goal during a men's ice hockey semifinal game between Canada and Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Sweden's Anna Hasselborg, Sara McManus, Sofia Scharback, Agnes Knochenhauer celebrate winning a women's curling semifinal match against Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Sweden's Anna Hasselborg, Sara McManus, Sofia Scharback, Agnes Knochenhauer celebrate winning a women's curling semifinal match against Canada at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Lukas Hofer, of Italy, center right, competes in the men's 15-kilometer mass start biathlon race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Anterselva, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Lukas Hofer, of Italy, center right, competes in the men's 15-kilometer mass start biathlon race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Anterselva, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Finland's Esa Lindell (23) challenges for the puck with Canada's Macklin Celebrini (17) during a men's ice hockey semifinal game between Canada and Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Finland's Esa Lindell (23) challenges for the puck with Canada's Macklin Celebrini (17) during a men's ice hockey semifinal game between Canada and Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Netherlands' Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong celebrates after winning the women's speedskating 1,500-meters final at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Netherlands' Antoinette Rijpma-de Jong celebrates after winning the women's speedskating 1,500-meters final at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Finland's Erik Haula (56) celebrates after scoring a goal against Canada during the second period of a men's ice hockey semifinal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Finland's Erik Haula (56) celebrates after scoring a goal against Canada during the second period of a men's ice hockey semifinal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Medics respond after New Zealand's Finley Melville Ives crashed during the men's freestyle skiing halfpipe qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Medics respond after New Zealand's Finley Melville Ives crashed during the men's freestyle skiing halfpipe qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Ukraine's Maksym Kuznietsov crashes during the men's freestyle skiing aerials qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Ukraine's Maksym Kuznietsov crashes during the men's freestyle skiing aerials qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Switzerland's Michael Vogt, front, starts for a four man bobsled training session at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Switzerland's Michael Vogt, front, starts for a four man bobsled training session at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Waiters serve drinks as fans are reflected on a building ahead of the men's 15-kilometer mass start biathlon race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Anterselva, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Waiters serve drinks as fans are reflected on a building ahead of the men's 15-kilometer mass start biathlon race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Anterselva, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Japan's Makiko Arai (27) crashes during the women's ski cross qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Japan's Makiko Arai (27) crashes during the women's ski cross qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

From left, Switzerland's Talina Gantenbein (5), France's Jade Grillet Aubert (6) and Switzerland's Sixtine Cousin (13) compete during the women's ski cross finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

From left, Switzerland's Talina Gantenbein (5), France's Jade Grillet Aubert (6) and Switzerland's Sixtine Cousin (13) compete during the women's ski cross finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

United States' Christopher Lillis competes during the men's freestyle skiing aerials finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

United States' Christopher Lillis competes during the men's freestyle skiing aerials finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Norway's Johannes Dale-Skjevdal shoots during the men's biathlon 15-kilometers mass start race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Anterselva, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Norway's Johannes Dale-Skjevdal shoots during the men's biathlon 15-kilometers mass start race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Anterselva, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Slovakia's Nikola Fricova (29) competes during the women's ski cross qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

Slovakia's Nikola Fricova (29) competes during the women's ski cross qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

Johannes Dale-Skjevdal, of Norway, crosses the finish line to win gold in the men's 15-kilometer mass start biathlon race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Anterselva, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Johannes Dale-Skjevdal, of Norway, crosses the finish line to win gold in the men's 15-kilometer mass start biathlon race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Anterselva, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

United States' Christopher Lillis competes during the men's freestyle skiing aerials finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

United States' Christopher Lillis competes during the men's freestyle skiing aerials finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Athletes compete during the men's biathlon 15-kilometers mass start race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Anterselva, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Athletes compete during the men's biathlon 15-kilometers mass start race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Anterselva, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Taylor Anderson-Heide of the United States, right, and Cory Thiesse of the United States compete against Switzerland during the curling women's semifinal match at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Taylor Anderson-Heide of the United States, right, and Cory Thiesse of the United States compete against Switzerland during the curling women's semifinal match at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Switzerland's Pirmin Werner competes during the men's freestyle skiing aerials qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Switzerland's Pirmin Werner competes during the men's freestyle skiing aerials qualifications at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

From left, silver medalist Switzerland's Noe Roth, gold medalist China's Wang Xindi and bronze medalist China's Li Tianma celebrate after the men's freestyle skiing aerials finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

From left, silver medalist Switzerland's Noe Roth, gold medalist China's Wang Xindi and bronze medalist China's Li Tianma celebrate after the men's freestyle skiing aerials finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

China's Qi Guangpu competes during the men's freestyle skiing aerials finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

China's Qi Guangpu competes during the men's freestyle skiing aerials finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

A United States supporter watches a women's curling semifinal match between Switzerland and the United States, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

A United States supporter watches a women's curling semifinal match between Switzerland and the United States, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

From left, Switzerland's Talina Gantenbein (5), Switzerland's Sixtine Cousin (13), France's Anouck Errard (12) and Switzerland's Saskja Lack (4) compete during the women's ski cross finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

From left, Switzerland's Talina Gantenbein (5), Switzerland's Sixtine Cousin (13), France's Anouck Errard (12) and Switzerland's Saskja Lack (4) compete during the women's ski cross finals at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Poland's Anna Maka passes behind a glass wall while training on the biathlon course at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Anterselva, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Poland's Anna Maka passes behind a glass wall while training on the biathlon course at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Anterselva, Italy, Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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